The
2nd Regular Session of the 64th Idaho Legislature convened on January 8
and adjourned on March 28.The legislature had met for a total of 80 days.
During that time there were 799 draft proposals, 561 pieces of legislation
introduced, with both houses passing 355 bills. During the 2018 Session,
AMG lobbyists attended all meetings of the Ag Lobbyist group (each
Tuesday) and represented clients at Food Producers of Idaho meetings (each
Wednesday). Food Producers of Idaho hosted legislators for lunch each
Wednesday. These lunches provided an opportunity to interact with
legislators on important issues related to the agriculture industry.
Benjamin Kelly participated in the Idaho Association of Commerce and
Industry’s (IACI) weekly legislative meetings representing Food
Producers of Idaho and the Idaho Cooperative Council. During the 2018
Session, Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, a third-year U of I law student, served
as an intern for Food Producers of Idaho and Abigail Dixon, daughter of
Representative Sage Dixon, worked alongside Roger Batt during the Session.

The
groups for which AMG lobbied during the 2018 Session included:

Rick
Waitley/Benjamin Kelly/Patxi Larrocea-Phillips:

Food
Producers of Idaho

Idaho
Alfalfa & Clover Seed Growers Association

Idaho
Cooperative Council, Inc.

Idaho
Hay and Forage Association

Idaho
Honey Industry Association

Idaho
Onion Growers’ Association

Idaho
Weed Control Association

Nezperce
Prairie Grass Growers Association

Northwest
Farm Credit Services

Roger
Batt/Abigail Dixon:

Idaho
Eastern Oregon Seed Association

Idaho
Grape Growers and Wine Producers

Idaho
Heartland Coalition

Idaho
Mint Growers Association

Idaho-Oregon
Seed Pesticide Council

Pacific
Seed Association

Treasure
Valley Water Users Association

Western
Equipment Dealers Association

KEY
2018 LEGISLATIVE ACTION:

PRIVATE
PROPERTY RIGHTS: Perhaps one of
the most significant pieces of legislation passed in the 2018 Session for
Idaho agriculture dealt with private property rights. The legislation was
written twice and maintained its fundamental structure all the way through
the process. read
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